Tired of hacks that waste time and money? Make your life simpler and easier with life hacks that actually work. From food hacks to digital organization tools, these are the best hacks you’ll ever need.
If you take even a minute to visit TikTok, you’ll know the internet is full of supposedly valuable hacks to help you do things more efficiently. Unfortunately, many of these ideas aren’t worth the effort, and it can be hard to know which ones are.
Take a minute to explore these tried-and-true strategies to help you save money, make the most of your time, and so much more!
Table of Contents
Time-Saving Hacks
Cut out time-wasters from all parts of your life to help you focus on what matters the most! These simple life hacks will help you be more efficient in every aspect of your life.
Kitchen Life Hacks
Since most of us eat three times daily, the kitchen always absorbs much of our time and energy. It’s best to get in a rhythm with specific activities to make them routine!
1. Run the dishwasher every night
Even if it’s not totally full, run the dishwasher each night before bed, and empty it first thing in the morning. Then, any dirty dishes go straight into the dishwasher instead of cluttering your sink and making more work.
2. Prep in advance
To save time during busy weekdays, spend some time on the weekend prepping breakfasts and lunches for your busy week. Make a list of your favorite meal prep ideas to make this process even faster.
3. Prepare your coffee for the morning
While you’re in the kitchen loading your dishwasher each night, take a minute to add the water and coffee grounds to your coffee maker. In the morning, you’ll be able to get your coffee right away.
4. Quick defrosting
Forgot to take out frozen meat or veggies from the freezer? You can quickly defrost them by placing the item in a sealed plastic bag and submerging it in a bowl of cold water. Replace the water every 30 minutes until the item is fully defrosted.
5. Speedy cleaning
Tired of scrubbing pots and pans? Fill them with water and add a couple of dryer sheets. Let them soak for an hour, and then you can easily wipe off the residue.
6. Polish with oil
If you have stainless steel appliances, you can buff them to a sparkly shine by rubbing them with olive oil. Get a paper towel or microfiber cloth, a little oil, and start rubbing.
Food Hacks
Food is expensive! Make the most of your groceries by keeping your food fresh longer with these clever food hacks.
7. Freeze bread
Keep the loaf you’re using in the fridge instead of keeping your bread on the counter where it can mold. If you have more than you need, freeze and thaw the extra for later (I pop it in the toaster for quick, ready-to-use bread from the freezer).
8. Turn off your pasta water
Once your pasta water comes to a boil and you add the noodles, turn off the heat. The pasta will keep cooking in the hot water, but you’ll stop wasting energy.
9. Rub a spoon on your fingers
Tired of fingers that smell like fresh garlic? Rub your fingers on a stainless steel spoon under cool water to immediately remove the smell.
10. Make berries last
Wash, dry, then store your berries in the fridge in a glass jar to make them last much longer.
11. Separate your bananas
Your bananas will stay fresh longer if you separate them!
12. Don’t mix potatoes and onions
When stored together, they’ll make each other go bad faster.
13. Keep apples in the fridge
Apples can last for months if kept cool. Store your apples in the fridge to make them last.
14. Make quick pickled garlic & more
Add tons of flavor to your recipes and use up your extra produce by making quick pickles! You’ll need to warm up some vinegar with salt and seasonings, then pour it over fresh garlic, cucumbers, zucchini slices, green beans, etc. Refrigerate and go!
15. Peel hard-boiled eggs fast
Fill a glass of water to quickly get the shells off your hard-boiled eggs. Lightly crack the outside of your cooked eggs and add them to the jar. Cover the top with your hand and shake to watch the shell peel away.
16. Remove pits
To remove pits from cherries, place them on top of a narrow bottle. Use a metal straw to press the pit directly into the bottle.
17. Keep brown sugar fresh
Never waste time dealing with clumpy brown sugar again! Add a clay bear to your container for soft sugar every time.
Laundry Shortcuts
If you’re not careful, laundry will suck up unnecessary time. From washing and drying to folding and putting clothes away, these steps can add up!
18. Sort as you go
Save time on laundry day by sorting your clothes as you toss them into the hamper. Use separate compartments or hampers for white, colored, and delicate fabrics.
19. Fold smarter, not harder
Learn how to fold shirts, pants, and towels quickly and efficiently. For example, the Japanese T-shirt folding technique can significantly reduce the time it takes to fold your laundry.
20. Use a garment bag for delicates
Use a garment bag in the washing machine to protect your delicate clothes and save time on sorting. You can keep them all in one place, and they’ll stay protected throughout the wash cycle.
21. Skip the laundry basket
If you have a problem leaving clothes in the laundry basket forever and never folding them, do away with the basket. Add your clothes directly to the washer. After they’re dried, fold them in the laundry room and put them away immediately. No more laundry piles!
22. Set up a capsule wardrobe
To save time washing clothes, edit your closet and only keep pieces that go together.
Travel Tricks
Make your next trip more manageable than ever with these handy travel hacks. They make it so much easier and less stressful to leave home.
23. Pack like a pro
Roll clothes instead of folding them to save space in your suitcase and reduce wrinkles. Invest in packing cubes to keep your items organized.
24. Travel-sized essentials
Save time at airport security by always having a toiletry kit with travel-sized containers of your essentials ready to go. This way, you won’t have to measure liquids and worry about transferring your usual products to smaller containers.
25. Digital copies of important documents
Ensure you have digital copies of your passport, driver’s license, and other essential documents in case of loss or theft. This will save you time and stress in case of an emergency.
Money-Saving Strategies
Keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket with these simple life hacks!
Shopping & Budgeting
26. Order groceries online
Grocery stores know how to get you to buy more than you need. Stick to your budget by ordering groceries online. You’ll be able to stick to your grocery list and budget while still getting everything you need.
27. Use cashback apps
To get a bit extra back from the products you already buy, use smartphone apps that give you cash back on grocery store purchases by scanning your receipts. This only takes a few minutes of your time but can help you save a few extra dollars each week.
28. Sleep on it
When you want to buy something immediately, pause and sleep on it. See if you still need or want the product the next day before purchasing. You can even stretch it to more extended periods to help curb a spending habit.
29. Use a budgeting app
Knowing where your money is going is essential, but old-school budgets can feel tedious. Download a budgeting app to get a handle on your spending.
30. Automate your savings
If you always feel like there’s nothing left for savings, schedule automatic transfers. You won’t notice the money is gone, and your savings account balance will keep growing.
31. Use cash
People spend significantly more when they use cards. To make it easier to spend less automatically, pay with cash. You can even use the cash envelope method to use cash for all of your discretionary spending.
Energy Efficiency
Implementing energy-efficient practices in your home can significantly reduce your expenses. Some simple changes to consider:
- Switch to LED bulbs, which last longer and consume less energy.
- Unplug devices when not in use or use a smart power strip to cut off the power supply automatically.
- Install a programmable thermostat to regulate temperature and save on heating and cooling costs.
- Use energy-efficient appliances and water-saving fixtures.
- Add a half-gallon water jug to your toilet tank to reduce water use per flush.
Organization and Decluttering
Decluttering and organizing your living space can significantly improve your productivity and overall well-being. These storage solutions and digital organization techniques will help you keep your space tidy and clutter-free.
Storage Solutions
32. Use boxes and bins
Store items in boxes and bins to keep them organized and easily accessible. Label each container to indicate what’s inside it, making it easier to find things later.
33. Maximize vertical space
Install shelves or hanging organizers on your walls to take advantage of vertical space, particularly in small rooms. This will help keep your floors clear and create more space for other items.
34. Assign a place for everything
Ensure every item has a designated place in your home to maintain organization. When you finish using an item, return it to its designated place.
Digital Organization
35. Use file folders
Organize your computer files into a structured folder system. This will help you locate files easily and keep your digital workspace tidy.
36. Unsubscribe from unwanted emails
Regularly review your email subscriptions and unsubscribe from any newsletters or promotional emails that you no longer find useful.
37. Declutter your desktop
The computer’s desktop can quickly become cluttered with shortcuts, files, and folders. Take a few minutes each week to declutter your desktop by deleting unneeded items and organizing the remaining items into folders.
38. Aim for inbox zero
Take a minute to deal with all the emails floating around your inbox. Delete what you don’t need and put anything else in folders. If you do this, dealing with every new email and keeping your inbox empty will be much easier.
Productivity Boosters
Ready to be more efficient? Whether you’re struggling to stay focused or are tired of clutter, you’ll love these awesome life hacks.
Workspace Optimization
Whether you work from home or in an office, a well-organized workspace can significantly improve your productivity.
39. Declutter your space
Start by decluttering your desk and surrounding area, keeping only essential items within reach.
40. Get a good chair
Ensure your chair is ergonomic and comfortable, promoting good posture while working.
41. Set the mood
A well-lit, quiet environment can help you stay focused and energized throughout the day. Consider investing in noise-canceling headphones to tune out distractions.
42. Avoid distractions
If you’re constantly being distracted by your phone, install an app like Minimalist Phone that gives you a simplified display and helps you set limits on your social media use.
43. Take breaks
It might be hard to believe, but you’ll be more productive if you give your body and brain a break. Consider using the Pomodoro method to work for 25 minutes, then take a quick 5-minute break.
Task Management
To get better at dealing with the many tasks on your to-do list, spending some time thinking about how you structure your day is worth it.
44. Plan your day first
Before you do anything, come up with a list of tasks that need to be done. Sort them into priorities and focus on the most important tasks first.
45. Eat the frog
It sounds odd, but if you have to do something unpleasant or challenging, it’s best to do it immediately. Deal with the frog on your list first thing, and you’ll have a much less stressful day.
46. Try time blocking
Whether you do it with paper or an app, time blocking lets you sketch how you fit everything into your day. Some tools even use AI to help you be more efficient with your time!
47. Use an organizational system
These days, you’re spoiled with choices for task management tools. Find a system that works for how you think and like to organize your materials. Look at Clickup, Trello, Monday, and Asana for some great options.
Health and Wellness
Ready to optimize your health? Try these excellent life hacks to improve your physical health.
Exercise Hacks
Incorporating exercise into your daily routine might seem daunting, but there are simple hacks to help you stay consistent and motivated.
48. Break it up
Try breaking up your workout into smaller 10-minute sessions throughout the day, making fitting into your busy schedule easier.
49. Get creative with your resources
Utilize everyday items such as chairs for step-ups or cans of food as weights. This way, you don’t need a gym membership or expensive equipment to stay active.
50. Establish a realistic routine
Set practical goals based on your current fitness level, and gradually increase the intensity of your workouts. This will help prevent burnout and keep you on track for long-term success.
51. Try HIIT workouts
You don’t always need a long workout to get a good burn. Look into high-intensity interval training or isometric workouts that only take 7-10 minutes.
52. Sneak extra steps
You can do little things to increase your activity without thinking about it. Park away from the store, take the stairs, take a movement break every hour, etc.
Nutrition Tips
If you want to eat better, use these simple nutrition tips without depriving yourself.
53. Plan your meals
Planning your meals for the week can help you make healthier choices and eat balanced meals every day. Create a grocery list with nutritious ingredients and stick to it when shopping.
54. Portion control
By prepping your meals in advance, you’ll save time and ensure you eat the right amount daily. You can even use meal prep containers with separating lines to make it easier.
55. Stay hydrated
Drinking enough water throughout the day is essential for your body’s overall function. Proper hydration can even boost your energy and help with digestion.
56. Incorporate whole foods
Prioritize consuming whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. These nutrient-dense options provide your body with the necessary vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support optimum health.
57. Focus on caloric density
Choose whole foods that are lower in calories to fill up. For example, fresh grapes are low in calories, and you can eat a lot to fill up. On the other hand, nuts are high in calories and one serving size is really small.
58. Ditch the junk food
It’s a waste of money and won’t support your health goals. For snacks, opt for real foods, like carrot sticks, cottage cheese, yogurt, jerky, and fresh fruits.
Tech and Gadget Know-How
Make your devices work better for you with these helpful tips and tricks.
Smartphone Tricks
Did you know you can make your smartphone work for you, not against you?
59. Share your Wi-Fi password easily
Create a QR code for your Wi-Fi to share with guests. Using a service like qifi.org, you can generate a QR code that connects your guests to your Wi-Fi without revealing your password.
60. Save your battery
Enable power-saving mode to make the most of your battery and help it last longer.
Computer Optimization
There are so many great ways to make it easier to use your computer and most of these can be done for free!
61. Use a password manager
Keep your passwords safe and make accessing all your accounts easier with a password manager like LastPass or Dashlane.
62. Close unused programs
Your computer might run slower than it should if you have too many programs running simultaneously at startup. To avoid this, follow these steps:
- Open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)
- Select the Startup tab
- Disable the unnecessary startup programs
63. Keep your computer updated
Take the time to update (and restart) your computer as needed to ensure all your programs are working correctly.
64. Tackle digital clutter
Always keep your files organized and delete unused documents and applications to maintain the efficiency of your devices.
65. Use the cloud
Especially if you use your computer for work or essential projects, use a cloud-based program to make your files accessible from any device and to keep those files secure in case of tech disasters.
Final Thoughts About Life Hacks That Actually Work
There are so many ways to optimize our lives, and it can be tempting to try everything right away. Hopefully, this list of life hacks that actually work is the beginning of a better, more enjoyable life. Take a minute to find a few ideas to start with and see how they go!
